Promoting effective collaborative case-based learning at university: a metacognitive intervention

Abstract

The use of student-led collaborative learning activities at university level has increased dramatically in recent decades. However, whether such activities foster engagement in self-regulated, deep-learning practices remains contentious, with evidence that desirable learning outcomes are often not achieved. A metacognitive intervention was designed to induce groups of students to engage in productive learning from each other, while working on a clinical case-based group assignment. The intervention introduced students to a twofold metacognitive strategy aimed at enhancing learning through meaning making in group interactions and high-level questioning. The research involved a semi-experimental design, with a previous student cohort providing control data. Observation and self-report data converged to show that the intervention led to increased time spent on case content-discussion, but not at the desired deep level. The intervention's positive impact was also evident in self-reports of personal goals, perceived difficulty of the assignment, group and task challenges, and evaluations of learning.

Keywords:

• deep-strategic learning
• collaborative learning
• high-level questioning
• metacognitive strategy
• metacognitive intervention

Acknowledgement

This research was supported under the Australian Research Council's Discovery Projects funding scheme (project number DP0986867).